Experiences & Our Customers

This page shows the list of customers who experienced our services, and kindly gave us the consent to write the company’s name and feedback.

Thank you for selecting us.

Best wishes for the success of our client’s business!!

ACP/IOR Service – Attorney for Customs Procedure/Importer of Record Service

Our Customers – Attorney for Customs Procedures (ACP) Service

All our clients have successfully become Japan Importer of Record (IOR) and/or Exporter of Record (EOR) under our guidance.

Logistics Companies with Collaboration Experience

Here is a list of our partner logistics and forwarding companies with whom we have had successful collaborations. Please note that this list is not exhaustive, as we are open to working with any logistics or forwarding companies. For clients, we(SK Advisory) work as an Attorney for Customs Procedures (ACP), while the logistics companies manage forwarding, logistics, customs clearance and warehousing operations.

Kolon Industries in South Korea – used ACP service under VMI scheme, for the import of Airbag Cushio for Automobile into Japan.

The Chillafish Company – Belgium based company, producing toys including Balance Bikes.

SkyPAD – Denmark based company, stylish Glass mouse-pad, for gaming professionals.

Shokz in China – used ACP service for the import of earphone into Japan. They registered as non-resident IOR – Importer of Record in Japan, we supported as ACP – Attorney for Customs Procedure.

Element Six in Ireland – used ACP service for the import of synthetic diamond, cubic boron nitride and other superhard materials for industrial use.

Shock Hosting LLC – US-based company providing Network, Hosting service – utilized ACP service for the import of computer servers and related goods to Japan. The purpose of the import was internal usage.

“It has been a pleasure working with ACP Japan on importing several shipments into Japan. From start to finish the service and communication has been excellent and we are looking forward to importing additional shipments with ACP Japan in the future. We would definitely recommend their services to anyone needing to navigate the complicated customs process in Japan.”

Tree Monkey Music – Umami Life Limited in New Zealand – Amazon Seller, used the ACP service for the import of music guitar accessories to Japan.

“We were struggling to find the right advice and ACP representative to assist our importing needs for Japan. Once we started working with SK Advisory our problems were solved. They provided timely and effective advice, worked efficiently with our freight forwarder and took care of all of the paperwork, the process became seamless. I highly recommend them, and will certainly be working with them again.”

TrendyValley Collections – Agape Analytics Sdn Bhd in Malaysia – Amazon Seller, utilized ACP service for the import of Baby/Maternity clothes to Japan.

“ACP Japan provides clear and precise information and templates that need to be filled and submitted for the ACP application. The whole application process went smoothly and I would also like to thank him for helping me to guide the logistics company in Japan for sending my products to Amazon FBA.”

Exit Technologies in Canada – Amazon Seller, used ACP service for the import of Computer/Mouse Emulators to Japan.

“ACP Japan was very professional and helped us make an otherwise daunting process seem simple and easy. He promptly responds to inquiries so we were able to get this arranged for a package already in-transit for Japan.”

Brandart S.p.A in Italy – used ACP service for the import of luxuary packaging products into Japan.

Onogo.com in Jersey – used ACP service for the import of Pet accessaries into Japan. They registered as non-resident IOR – Importer of Record in Japan, we supported as ACP – Attorney for Customs Procedure.

Luna Nameplate Industries in Australia, an international Amazon Seller used ACP service for the import of Car Emblem into Japan. They registered as non-resident IOR – Importer of Record in Japan, we supported as ACP – Attorney for Customs Procedure.

Nix Sensor in Canada, an international Amazon Seller used ACP service for the import of Color Sensor into Japan. They registered as non-resident IOR – Importer of Record in Japan, we supported as ACP – Attorney for Customs Procedure.

Enzu.com in the U.S. used ACP service for the import of Computer equipment and internet related products into Japan. They registered as non-resident IOR – Importer of Record in Japan, we supported as ACP – Attorney for Customs Procedure.

Vesper Technologies lImited in the UK, used ACP service for the import of Computer equipment and internet related products into Japan. They registered as non-resident IOR – Importer of Record in Japan, we supported as ACP – Attorney for Customs Procedure.

Loop Earplugs in Belgium, used ACP service for the import of Earplugs into Japan. They registered as non-resident IOR – Importer of Record in Japan, we supported as ACP – Attorney for Customs Procedure.

EVI Herrajes in Spain, used ACP service for the import of Doorstop products into Japan. They registered as non-resident IOR – Importer of Record in Japan, we supported as ACP – Attorney for Customs Procedure.

Secretlab in Singapore, used ACP service for the import of Gaming Chair products into Japan. They registered as non-resident IOR – Importer of Record in Japan, ACP-Japan supported as ACP – Attorney for Customs Procedure.

Y Ventures Group in Singapore, used ACP service for the import of Books into Japan. They registered as non-resident IOR – Importer of Record in Japan, ACP-Japan supported as ACP – Attorney for Customs Procedure.

Groke Technologies in Finland, used ACP service for the import of digital based situational awareness systems related autonomous navigation solutions of ships into Japan. They registered as non-resident IOR – Importer of Record in Japan, ACP-Japan supported as ACP – Attorney for Customs Procedure.

Our ACP Service: The Best Solution for the Japan Importer of Record (IOR) and Exporter of Record (EOR)

Attorney for Customs Procedures (ACP) is the best solution for addressing the issue of Japan IOR – Importer of Record. Below is an outline of our primary services and a diagram illustrating the operational structure of the ACP service. Upon successful ACP registration, a foreign entity can become the Japan IOR – Importer of Record.

Basic Scope of Services:

Consultation with the Japan Customs Office for successful ACP registration.
Liaising with stakeholders, including Logistics Forwarding Companies and the Customs Offices, on behalf of non-resident clients (i.e., non-resident Japan IOR) to ensure the secure importation of goods.
Assistance in preparing the necessary documentation for import clearance.
Support of calculation of Customs Value (Customs Valuation Formula), in accordance with appropriate compliance under the Japan Tariff Customs Law.
Security Export Control (Classification for List Control, Examination for Catch-All Control, Application of the license to Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
Documents keeping, required under article 95 – Japan Customs Law
Providing professional trade/customs advice if any issues arise.

**Both import and export activities can benefit from the use of an ACP (Attorney for Customs Procedures). This support is applicable in scenarios where a non-resident acts as the Importer of Record (IOR) for imports and as the Exporter of Record (EOR) for exports.

Three Steps to Initiate Shipments Under the ACP Program: :

Quotation Review to Contract Conclusion: Upon receiving your contact details, we will promptly provide a quotation for your review.
Commencing the Registration of ACP (Attorney for Customs Procedure) to Japan Customs: This process is generally completed in about two weeks.
Initiation of First Shipment, Import/Export

Our strengths

Professional of Customs and International Trade – The CEO, as a Certified Customs Specialist in Japan – Mr. Sawada has been providing consulting services in the Trade & Customs area for many years. He was in a management position at KPMG, then started with his own company – SK Advisory to continue the customs-related services to the international clients.
Fully compliance in accordance with Japanese Customs Law – Maintaining the service quality with full compliance with Japanese Customs Law. ACP Japan is capable to manage all the necessary import compliance issues, including the classification of HS code, and setting of the appropriate Customs Valuation of the import goods to Japan.
Communication in English, Chinese, and Japanese – Our team, with extensive international experience, excels in communication in English, including facilitating English-language meetings, and has earned considerable trust from clients. We also have staff capable of communicating in Chinese, making us equipped to handle Chinese-language support as well. Naturally, as a Japan-based team, we’re totally fluent in Japanese, ensuring seamless communication across these three key languages.
Experienced and credible partner – As ACP Japan has been providing ACP services to many clients as demand has increased, you can totally rely on us as a credible partner. We registers 80 ACP customers every year, the customers from around the world. In this way, all customers successfully became non-resident IOR – Importer of Record in Japan.
Handling Regulated Products – Our ACP/IOR partnership system can manage regulated items, including cosmetics, PSE-products, foodstuffs, and tableware.
Qualified ACP service provider in Amazon SPN (Service Provider Network) – ACP Japan has officially become a qualified ACP service provider in Amazon’s Service Provider Network (SPN) under the Compliance category.

FAQ for ACP (Attorney for Customs Procedures)

What is the role of ACP (ACP Japan)?

Representation: ACP (ACP Japan) represents the foreign importer and liaises with Japan Customs and the Forwarding Company/Customs Broker.
Documentation and Compliance: ACP assists in preparing essential import documents (e.g., Invoices) in compliance with Japan Customs Law and formally requests the Customs Broker to proceed with customs clearance.
Expert Consultation and Troubleshooting: We are a team of legal experts in Customs Laws, providing direct consultations with Japan Customs to ensure compliance and address issues, including troubleshooting unique challenges in non-resident imports.

How long time does it require to get ACP’s registration?

It will take approximately 2 weeks until getting an approval from Japan Customs Office.
The breakdown of the task is as follows.

Prepare the necessary documentation between us
Start pre-consultation with Japan Customs Office and proceed initial review
Submit paper-based set of application documents to Japan Customs Office for final review

What kind of documents to be necessary for ACP application?

Not limited, but for instance – Power of Attorney, Company Registry, The calculation method of Customs Valuation, Catalog of the import goods, business/logistic flow

ACP can handle all kinds of goods?

Whereas many ACP service providers do not handle regulated items, our company’s competitive advantage stems from our ability to manage such products. We can support regulated items, including cosmetics, PSE-regulated products, foodstuffs, and tableware.

Which regions in Japan are we covering?

Any region in Japan, we can handle.

What is difference between ACP and IOR?

ACP is not the Importer. ACP enables non-resident entities to become IOR (Importer of Record).

Japanese Customs System Reform: Clarification of Importer Definitions

Starting October 1, 2023, Japanese Customs has instituted a pivotal reform aimed at addressing the issue of foreign sellers improperly designating third parties (such as forwarders or customs agents) as importers.

This revision necessitates foreign corporations to utilize an Attorney for Customs Procedures (ACP) to assume the role of Importer of Record (IOR) directly in many cases. The practice of merely nominally appointing another entity as the importer is no longer feasible.

Notably, foreign corporations that act as importers themselves, through the engagement of ACP, are eligible for Japan Consumption Tax (JCT) benefits. (link: Consumption Tax Treatment and Benefits of Using ACP).

As a dedicated ACP firm, we ensure compliance with the law to facilitate correct import procedures, allowing you to trust us with your importation requirements confidently. We are eager to engage in further discussions with you.

Revisions Effective October 1, 2023:

Definition of the Importer

Regarding a cargo imported under import transaction, an importer is equivalent to “a person who imports a cargo” defined in Article 6-1 (1), General Notification of the Customs Act. ….. This means, the Consignee, etc., in the case of imports conducted through normal transactions between an overseas seller and a Japanese buyer
In the cases other than above, an importer is a person who has a right to disposition of the import cargo at the time of import declaration. If there is another person who acts on the purpose of the import*, that person is also included :

In case of a cargo imported:
– under lease contracts, a person who rents and uses the cargo.
– for consignment sales, a person who sells the cargo in the name of himself/herself (consignee) by accepting the commission.
– for processing or repairing, a person who processes or repairs the cargo.
– for disposal, a person who disposes the cargo.

For additional information, please refer to the following resources:

Guidance by Amazon

According to the seller central website in Amazon, there is a guidance by Amazon that non-resident entity needs to appoint an ACP or IOR. You may check on this “Non-resident requirements”. Also, you can check the document developed by Amazon “Understand ACP and IOR guidance”. —–

Our ACP Service (Attorney for Customs Procedures)

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[Our Service]

Our ACP Service for Importer of Record (IOR)

Our ACP Service for Exporter of Record (EOR)

[Knowledge Pages]

What is ACP? – Attorney for Customs Procedures

Steps of using ACP, how foreign entity can import into Japan by ACP

What is IOR? – Importer of Record

Amazon won’t become an IOR

Customs Valuation System in Japan

Customs Valuation When You Import By ACP